With all of these so-called ideals of perfection thrown at us on the daily, it’s no surprise that the average makeup shopping spree costs almost $50!

Does that sound about right to you? If so, you may be wondering how you can save on makeup. After all, we all want to look polished, but we also want to eat, right?

From CC creams to eyeshadows and every lip plumping kit, lash treatment, and highlighter in between, it can be hard to leave the store with both a full face and a full wallet.

Today, we’re breaking down a few easy steps you can take to cut those cosmetic costs!

1. Get Sample Sizes

Are you interested in trying out a new, expensive foundation, but you’re not sure you’re ready to invest a small fortune in a full-sized tube? No problem! Most beauty stores are more than happy to hook you up with a sample.

You might be able to snag a few for free, or you may need to make a minimum purchase first before you can qualify. Either way, when you get some, resist the urge to throw them away or lose them at the bottom of your purse.

Use them up and if you like them, don’t hesitate to ask for a few more trial sizes before you commit to making the switch to full-price.

Of course, if you want access to mini containers of on-trend makeup sent to your doorstep regularly, you can always join a subscription box service that will deliver the goods to you. This way, you can try more than one kind of product and you might even find some new favorites!

2. Use Every Last Drop

How many times have you looked at a broken blush palette and simply tossed it because there was only a tiny sliver left?

Take a look at your makeup bag. How many bottles of primer or concealer are sitting forgotten at the bottom, unused for weeks because they’re getting low and it’s hard to get anything out of them?

If you’re looking to save on makeup, the answer might be taking an inventory of what you already have, then making sure you’re maximizing every last little bit of it.

Grab a tiny pair of scissors and carefully cut open any tubes to squeeze them clean. Re-constitute your broken powder eyeshadow or blush by mixing it with a little rubbing alcohol and pressing the pieces back into shape.

Of course, salvaging makes sense as long as your makeup is still in-date. Keep items around for too long and you run the risk of harboring some pretty nasty bacteria. Here’s a handy list of when to toss what!

3. Find Items That Pull Double (or Triple) Duty

One of the easiest and most economical ways to save on makeup is to focus your spending wisely.

For instance, instead of buying a separate lip, eye and cheek color, look for a tinted stick that you can easily swipe on all three parts of your face for a quick refresher.

Petroleum jelly is another example of a beauty multi-tasker. Use it to give your eyeshadow a pretty sheen, remove your makeup, moisturize your lips, and even tame your brows!

Other items, such as cornstarch and dryer sheets, might even be in your house right now, but you’re unaware that they can be rockstars in your beauty arsenal.

One way to stay in-the-know about top beauty tricks is to hop online and learn from the virtual experts! Internet resources, like this blog, are great places to learn tips and tricks of the trade.

When you shop smarter like this, your bathroom counter space isn’t the only thing you save!

4. Save on Makeup By Shopping in Bulk

Yes, we’re recommending both sample sizes and jumbo ones too, and here’s why: When you find a favorite that works and doesn’t break the bank, it’s wise to stick with it.

If you find yourself buying the same few staples, again and again, it’s time to save some gas, money, and sanity by transitioning to buying it in bulk if possible.

Of course, this won’t apply to every beauty product. Yet, you can really save on makeup by sourcing some products you use every day from big-box retailers that sell in large quantities.

These often come at a lower price point than you’d pay for smaller, individual items. If there’s not a store near you, scour the internet! You may find your favorite in a professional size that’s bigger than what you can buy in person.

Worried you might not use all the product in time to justify the purchase? Consider splitting the cost and using it with a friend. Just make sure you follow industry guidelines on sharing your makeup safely to avoid cross-contamination.

5. Take Care of Your Items

It seems like every makeup or cosmetic purchase, regardless of the price, comes with a honeymoon period.

We’re excited about it, and we love it, and we swear this time we’ll take care of it. So we give it a special place on the counter and vow to keep that area clean.

Then, the inevitable happens. We get in a hurry and throw our new compact back in our bag. We take a trip and pack everything neatly in our travel organizer, then toss it back into one big pile when we arrive home.

Weeks go by without washing our new brushes. We leave foundation dispensers clogged and drippy and screw the tops back on anyway.

The result? Applying makeup is suddenly much less fun, so we grab our keys and look for a new shiny product to satisfy our itch.

Instead, focus on taking care of your beauty items. There are tiny things you do every day that might be ruining them without your realization. Clean them regularly and store them properly and they’ll last you much longer.

Saving Big While Looking Great

Now that you know a few easy ways to save on makeup, you might be taking a second look at those products sitting on your bathroom shelf.

While a great new buy can make us look (and feel) like a million bucks, it’s even more satisfying to pocket some of that hard-earned cash and still feel fabulous in the end.

To learn more about how you can save big and live large, feel free to check out our blog. From the big hurdles to the little decisions, we’ll help you navigate it all in style!